Totti on Roma’s Coaching Conundrum
Francesco Totti, the iconic Roma captain, has weighed in on the club’s ongoing search for a new head coach. In an appearance on the Viva el Futbol channel, hosted by Antonio Cassano, Lele Adani, and Nicola Ventola, Totti shared his candid thoughts on what Roma needs to achieve success. "To win the Scudetto in Rome, great coaches are needed, but above all great players," Totti emphasized. He noted that while Roma has the potential, the current squad is not at the level needed to compete for the title. "Today, Roma deserves a fifth or sixth place, no more. There are stronger teams at the moment," he said, highlighting the gap between Roma and the top teams in Serie A.
The Need for a Top-Class Manager
Totti believes that Roma needs a coach of the caliber of Carlo Ancelotti to turn things around. "Roma needs Ancelotti, but he won’t come," Totti stated, acknowledging the practical difficulties of enticing such a high-profile manager to the club. He added, "And if he came, he would tell you: what team is this?" This comment underscores the need for significant improvements in the squad’s quality. Totti’s aspiration reflects the deep-seated desire of Roma fans for a manager who can bring stability and success. "If I were to be the technical director, I would try to convince him. And if I pick up the phone, it’s different than the others," he said, suggesting that his influence could make a difference in luring top talent.
Evaluating Potential Coaches
While Totti admires Ancelotti, he also discussed other potential candidates. "Gasparini is a good coach, but he doesn’t drive me crazy. I could never play with his style all over the pitch," he explained, indicating a preference for a more dynamic and creative approach. On the other hand, he expressed a positive view of Simone Inzaghi, noting, "I really like De Zerbi, but in Rome he would be a question mark. In Rome, they’ve gotten used to average coaches," he added, suggesting that the club has settled for mediocrity in recent years. This sentiment reflects a broader frustration among fans and observers that Roma needs to aim higher in their managerial appointments.
Mourinho: A Proven Winner
Totti reserved special praise for José Mourinho, who recently left Roma. "Mourinho is one of the best in the world. He, Allegri or Ancelotti don’t play a great game but they know how to put players on the pitch. And they win, and the result counts," Totti said, emphasizing the importance of results over style. Mourinho’s tenure at Roma saw the club reach two European finals, a significant achievement that Totti acknowledges. "In Rome, Mourinho played two European finals, what can you say to him?" he asked rhetorically, highlighting the Portuguese manager’s success and the challenge in finding a replacement who can match his accomplishments.
Dybala: The Modern-Day Totti
When it comes to players, Totti singled out Paulo Dybala as the one who most closely resembles him. "Dybala is the player who most resembles me today, I struggle to find others in Serie A. Paulo is a real talent, not only in Italy," Totti said, praising Dybala’s skill and creativity. He noted that while there were many players of Dybala’s caliber during his time, today such talents are more scarce. "In my time there were many, today there are 5 or 6 like him in the world. One of these is Yamal," Totti added, indicating the global shortage of top-tier talent. "Dybala is fine now, he doesn’t struggle and doesn’t stop. In Serie A he is the best, but there are too few players of his class in Italy," he concluded, highlighting the need for Roma and Italian football to develop more high-quality players.
A Call for Higher Standards
Totti’s comments serve as a call for higher standards in both coaching and player development at Roma. He reflects on a time when Serie A was teeming with world-class talent, lamenting the current state where even the names of legendary players like Roberto Baggio and Pep Guardiola are unknown to many young fans. "Guardiola and Baggio once played in Brescia, today not even their names are known," he remarked, emphasizing the need for a return to the glory days of Italian football. Totti’s insights not only provide a candid assessment of Roma’s current situation but also offer a roadmap for the club’s future, emphasizing the importance of ambitious hiring and player development to achieve long-term success.
